Government, military host brainstorming session on stability, economy

Government, military, community and tourism-industry leaders met in Pattaya to brainstorm ways to ensure stability and improve the economy in the Pattaya area.

Chonburi Gov. Khomsan Ekachai and Royal Thai Army Maj. Gen. Nath Inthracharoen, commander of 14th Military Circle in Chonburi, hosted the July 17 meeting with government and private agencies, business and tourism organizations, business operators, the public and the media at Pattaya City Hall.

(L to R) Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, Royal Thai Army Maj. Gen. Nath Inthracharoen, and Chonburi Gov. Khomsan Ekachai preside over the meeting on stability and the economy.

The meeting was aimed at increasing understanding on how to push the country toward stability. During the session, participants split into small groups to brainstorm guidelines on regulating tourism and improving awareness and prevention of terrorist acts, emergency suppression and reporting.

Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome thanked the National Council for Peace and Order for lifting the nighttime curfew that damaged tourism in Pattaya and bringing peace to the country. He said all citizens have a responsibility to assure it continues to be safe.

Khomsan said government officers are the middleman between the public and military to create correct understanding on the happenings in the country. He said people need to forget the past and together hold hands to make Thailand’s future sustainable.

Army Maj. Gen. Nath said the NCPO’s work was not to divide people along color-coded philosophical lines because Thais are all one people. He said everyone should do their jobs with honor to protect the nation, religion and monarchy and to not perceive the military coup as a seizure of power, but as taking control of the political crisis.

He said the meeting was important to discuss management of peace and order and restrictions and proceed with administration of the kingdom under new guidelines. Nath said if the country followed the old regulations of disputes, the “Land of Smiles” would cease to exist.

Next year, he said, the country is entering the ASEAN Economic Community. Hence, people must ask what are they fighting for and how will their children live. People have to take the responsibility in leading the nation and to have confidence in the workings of the military and to communicate when there are concerns, he said.

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday June 27, 2014 (Vol. XXII No. 26).